how to care for your nails

While there is little in the way of medical data showing that moisturizing the nail bed will help nails grow, it can make cuticles look better and help protect nails from breaking due to a lack of moisture. If your nails are prone to breakage, it could mean they need moisture and putting oil around the cuticle helps moisturize the entire nail, which will reduce the incidence of chipping, cracking, and splitting, says Margaret Ravits, MD, a dermatologist at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

In several studies, researchers found that supplements of biotin (a member of the vitamin B family) increased nail thickness and prevented splitting and breaking. In a respected German study that evaluated 45 people with severe nail problems, 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily for several months benefited everyone with 91% of the 45 citing significant improvement. NYU dermatologist Sumayah Jamal, MD, says to get the effect, it s vital that you take the prescription strength, therapeutic level of 2.5 milligrams daily. Some nail products also contain silicon and the supplement MSM, two other nutrients associated with nail health.

While it s hard to beat the pampering luxury of a pedicure or manicure, a study just completed by Stern and colleagues at Mt. Sinai showed those who indulged regularly were the most likely to suffer from dry, brittle nails. The doctors theorize that exposure to more chemicals and harsher ingredients may be one reason. Jamal adds that women who get manicures frequently suffer from chronic nail bed infections, evidenced by puffy, reddened areas around the base of the nail. When you look at your finger sideways the area around your nail bed should be flat. If it s puffy, that s evidence of a chronic infection, says Jamal. One way to reduce problems, say the experts, is to take your own tools to the manicure. This, says Jamal, will definitely cut down on the risk of infections and help ensure a healthier experience.

The one product that all dermatologists agree you should avoid if you have brittle nails is acetone nail polish remover. It has been documented time and again that it strips the nails, causing them to become brittle which is something we found in our study as well, says Stern.

Those old fashioned orange emery boards are too harsh for nails, causing small fissures and cracks that lead to breakage and tears, says Ravits. Instead, she says, file nails with a smooth, fine file and don t saw back and forth. Instead, Ravits says, file in one direction only, and do it slowly and evenly to reduce risk of breakage.

As healthy as it can be to wash your hands frequently, overdo it and you ll wreak havoc with your nails, says Stern. If you are in a profession where frequent hand washing is mandatory, she advises to use moisturizer as often as possible and rub a little extra around the cuticles several times a day. When doing housework or laundry, Jamal says, minimize contact with harsh chemicals, including dishwashing liquid, by wearing rubber gloves whenever possible.

While most women know when a shampoo doesn t agree with their hair, many don t realize it may not agree with their nails even if their hair looks great. This, say experts, is particularly true of detergent shampoos, or those for oily hair, which are designed to strip lipids and other natural oils from the scalp. If your nails are very dry and you are using any soap product that strips the oils, there is the potential to dry the nails, says Stern.

All our experts told WebMD that, in general, nail extensions are bad news for nails, frequently leading to fungal or even bacterial infections and, says Stern, sometimes to permanent damage. If you must wear nail extensions, she says, opt for just tips. While they can still cause problems, the potential for damage is less since the surface area covered is smaller.

Everything that applies to your fingernails applies to your toenails, which experts say may be even more prone to problems due to careless pedicures. Because feet are more often inside shoes a dark, moist environment fungus can grow more easily, says Ravits. If you get regular pedicures, experts say take your own instruments and never let the tech dig under the nail or around the cuticle. Moreover, Ravits says cutting toenails at an angle instead of straight across increases the risk of ingrown toenails, which can be painful and sometimes develop into an infection.

Most of the time, nail problems can be traced to environmental assaults exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals, use of drying nail products, or just general physical abuse, such as typing or excessive use of fingertips. That said, the American Academy of Dermatology advises that the condition of your nails can sometimes reflect a problem in your overall health. Here s what they say to look out for: White nails liver condition,Half pink/half white nails kidney disease,Yellowing and thickening of the nail, slowed growth rate lung disease,Pale nail beds anemia,Yellow tinged nails with a slight blush at the base diabetes